Multi-speed bicycle transmission

Details Multi-speed bicycle transmission Multi-speed bicycle transmission

1999-07-19

2001-02-13

Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)

Machine element or mechanism

Gearing

Interchangeably locked

C074S6650GA, C074S594200, C192S064000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186017

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to bicycle transmissions, and in particular to multi-speed bicycle transmissions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bicycles have been used for transportation for many years. Recently, bicycles have been increasingly utilized for exercise and health reasons. A such, there are many different types of bicycles for different purposes such as racing, traversing unpaved train and touring.
Many bicycles include multi-speed transmissions to enhance their operation over different types of train. Existing bicycle transmissions are generally derailleur type, manually controlled by a cable connected to a shift lever. Moving the shift lever changes the cable tension and moves the derailleur and a drive chain from one gear to another gear. With different gearing ratios, different pedaling efforts and speeds are accomplished.
A disadvantage of such transmissions is that shifting gears cannot be accomplished without rotation of the gears. As such, proper gear shifting can only be performed when the bicycle is in motion, and a rider cannot shift gears when stopped. This is particularly problematic in cases where before stopping the bicycle transmission has been shifted to higher gears for high speed travel. Then when the rider stops, the rider must exert a large amount of pedaling force to start the bicycle moving again. Since the transmission requires rotation of the transmission gears by a forward motion of the bicycle, the rider cannot down shift the transmission to reduce the pedaling effort required to start the bicycle moving again.
Another disadvantage of such conventional transmissions is that the gears are exposed to the elements and road dirt, leading to premature wear and requiring frequent maintenance.
There is therefore a need for a multi-speed transmission for a bicycle which can be shifted while the bicycle is stationary. There is also a need for such a transmission to require infrequent maintenance without premature wear and tear.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies these needs. In one embodiment the present invention provides a multi-speed transmission for bicycles, comprising: (a) a housing including spaced, opposing face plates, each face plate having a pedal shaft rotatably disposed within said pedal shaft openings; (c) a secondary shaft disposed within said secondary shaft openings, wherein the secondary shaft is spaced from the pedal shaft and substantially parallel thereto; (d) a pedal shaft set of gears mounted on the pedal shaft between the face plates, comprising: (1) a first set of pedal shaft gears mounted on the pedal shaft (2) a second set of pedal shaft gears rotatably mounted on the pedal shaft, and (3) a third set of pedal shaft gears rotatably mounted on the pedal shaft including first means for selective driving engagement with the second set of pedal shaft gears, the third set of pedal shaft gears including a drive gear means; (e) a secondary shaft set of gears mounted on the secondary shaft between the face plates, comprising: (1) a first set of secondary shaft gears mounted on the secondary shaft, and (2) a second set of secondary shaft gears rotatably mounted on the secondary shaft including second means for selective driving engagement with the first set of secondary shaft gears; (f) a primary set of pinion gears rotatably attached to means for selectively engaging each pinion gear between the first set of pedal shaft gears and the first set of secondary shaft gears; and (g) a permanent pinion gear engaged between the second set of pedal shaft gears and the second set of secondary shaft gears.
In operation, when one of the primary pinion gears is engaged between the first set of pedal shaft gears and the first set of secondary shaft gears, applying rotary torque to the pedal shaft causes: (1) the first set of pedal shaft gears to rotate the first set of secondary shaft gears via the engaged primary pinion gear, (2) the first set of secondary shaft gears rotate the second set of secondary shaft gears, (3) the second set of secondary shaft gears rotate the second set of pedal shaft gears via the permanent pinion gear, and (4) the second set of pedal shaft gears rotate the third set of pedal shaft gears including said drive gear means. As such, advantageously, a multi-speed transmission according to the present invention can be shifted up or down without rotation of the transmission gears. Further, the housing can encapsulate most of the transmission gear and protected them from the elements and road dirt.
As such, a bicycle transmission according to the present invention provides multi-speed transmission for a bicycle which can be shifted while the bicycle is stationary. The transmission requires infrequent maintenance without premature wear and tear. Further, the transmission provides for changing gears without slipping of the gears or the drive chain. This feature also reduces gear change noise, and increases the life of the drive chain.


REFERENCES:
patent: 652275 (1900-06-01), Krastin
patent: 2538625 (1951-01-01), Moore
patent: 3162058 (1964-12-01), Matthew
patent: 3209609 (1965-10-01), Kirschmann
patent: 3920263 (1975-11-01), Bundschuh
patent: 5553510 (1996-09-01), Balhorn

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